Motorsports

NASCAR prepares to expand its footprint – and exit its comfort zone

One of the most anticipated events in NASCAR Cup Series history is now just days away. Mexico City began welcoming the haulers Tuesday as the escorted convoy from Laredo, Texas, where teams staged after leaving Michigan International Speedway Sunday night, has officially crossed the border. Sunday will be the first Cup Series race held in […]

Published

2 months ago

June 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Sunday will be the first Cup Series race held in Mexico. It will also be the first international points-paying Cup Series race since 1958.

“I hope it’s all worth it because it’s definitely a lot of work,” three-time and reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano said. “I was at the NASCAR building (recently) and they were having meetings with the truck drivers about how they’re going to get everything there. They don’t do that for any other race. This is a very specific thing. I think it could be great. I think NASCAR is doing a good job so far, from what I can tell, of covering their bases; making sure there are no surprises when we get down there.

“We have to have our faith in them that they’re doing their job and it all ends up going well. I’m sure it will. I think everyone has been down there enough and talked about things enough that it will go well.”

Before the haulers were packed, teams were given instructions for what could and couldn’t be on the haulers (such as liquids), had to create manifests, and take other steps to ensure a smooth trip. Richard Childress Racing was among the teams that also had to remove alcohol or tobacco sponsors from the haulers and any apparel because local laws prohibit those items from being advertised in Mexico.

“I hope the fans enjoy it,” Logano said. “I hope it’s a good turnout. I think there is no doubt that a lot of times when you step outside your comfort zone, it’s uncomfortable. There is risk involved. But there is also high reward for our sport by doing this – stepping out of what we typically do in America and going international. It’s kind of a scary thing to do, let’s be honest. I think everyone … probably has some concerns of how are we going to get there? Where are we going to go? What do we do?

“I don’t know how to speak Spanish. I’m going to be hanging out with [Daniel] Suarez as much as I can. I don’t know where to go. So, the unknown factor is at an all-time high when we go there.”

Logano won’t be alone if he does indeed stick by Suarez, who is making a grand return home to his native country. Suarez has been the face of the event, and NASCAR has used him to do promotional events in Mexico City as well as viral videos where he teaches his fellow drivers Spanish and about Mexican food.

“I really, honestly, don’t know what to expect other than Daniel has said a lot of great things about it,” said Ryan Preece. “I know going into Chicago I had an open mind because I had never traveled to Chicago, even though it’s in the United States. But I had a great experience there and it would be somewhere I would take my family or if we wanted to go sightseeing. So, going to Mexico, I have the same open mind. I hope it’s a great experience and something that is really good for not only myself but for NASCAR as a whole. From what I’ve heard, there are a lot of race fans there and they are very welcoming to us, so we’re excited about it.”

Alex Bowman hopes his Mexico trip results in a trophy. It is much-needed for his Hendrick Motorsports team, who has finished 29th or worse in the last three races. But Bowman also paid attention to what Suarez has said.

“I talked to Suarez and he swears it’s going to be more of a party than any other racetrack that I’ve been to, so I’m excited to see that,” Bowman said. “Hopefully, we all have a good time.”

Large, vocal and passionate crowds are a hallmark of the Mexican GP. NASCAR is hoping for a similar welcome. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Bowman is also one of the drivers who admitted Mexico will be his first trip outside of the United States. Which means Bowman, Preece, and Josh Berry are among those who had to go through the process of getting a passport. Plenty of others had to renew their passports ahead of this season’s international race.

“It’ll be an experience in itself just to travel and get there,” Berry said. “The one thing I’m excited for, looking at Formula 1 races, is the number of fans there. I think it’s going to be a huge event with a ton of fans. The racetrack, the layout, looks pretty cool and I think that’ll be fun. But just taking in the whole experience is the biggest thing I’m looking forward to.”

Said Bubba Wallace of his hopes for the weekend: “I think just taking it all in. I have no expectations. It’s just going to be me; the family is not going. I have a couple of appearances there early in the week, so to get down there and see and officially say I’ve been to Mexico. And (eating) good food.”

Oh, the food is on the list of many traveling to Mexico City. Kyle Larson spent time there doing promotion events the week before the race at Nashville Superspeedway, and could see how excited the community, including the local media, is about NASCAR bringing both of its national series to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit.

“The venue looks amazing,” Larson said. “I love Mexican food, so I’m super pumped to go eat some authentic Mexican food. It’s going to be a great time and a great event. It’ll be cool to go race in a different country and in front of race fans who have maybe never seen us race in person.”

NASCAR does have local series that compete in other countries, including Mexico, but there is a push to bring its biggest stars international. Brazil was rumored to be the 2026 host of the Clash, but that now seems to be a way off, if it does happen at all. NASCAR perhaps sees how the NFL and MLB have taken their games international, and is trying to expand its footprint beyond the events in Mexico City that the Xfinity Series once ran (2005-2008), in Montreal (2007-2012) and the Craftsman Truck Series in Ontario (2013-2019).

There is a multiyear deal between NASCAR and Mexico City. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit is well known for the Formula 1 events it has hosted, however NASCAR will not run the same exact course but a 2.49-mile layout that has 14 turns.

Additionally, it will be the highest elevation race ever held for the Cup Series, with the altitude at 7,350 feet. Cup Series teams will be dealing with reduced horsepower because of the thin air, and some drivers have done attitude training to prepare for how different the conditions will be behind the wheel.

Brad Keselowski has raced internationally with NASCAR before (in Canada in the Xfinity Series). Once this weekend is complete, he knows he’ll be able to speak more about the Cup Series taking on Mexico City, but his expectations and thoughts are very much in line with many others.

“It’s an interesting event and there are all kinds of sentiments, positive and negative,” he said. “I think it’s good for the Cup Series in general to see the schedule variability that has been driven over the last half a dozen years or so. An international race fits the bill with everything else we’ve been doing.

“I’m really curious about the reception from the fans. I think the reception from our partners has been strong, which is always fun and great for the teams. But I’m really curious about the reception from the fans here and in Mexico. Will they turn out the way we think they are going to turn out? What will the fans here think?”

NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series events in Mexico City begin Friday, with each series getting two practice sessions. The NASCAR Mexico Series will be the companion event to the weekend, running a race on Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon. The inaugural Cup Series event Sunday afternoon caps off the weekend.

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Motorsports

Formula 1 News: Leclerc loyal but in career crisis

(GMM) As Ferrari’s focus this season has often been on Lewis Hamilton’s difficult transition, Christian Danner believes the team’s consistent top performer – Charles Leclerc (pictured) – could himself be in the midst of a career crisis. Danner, a former F1 driver turned German television pundit, told motorsport-magazin.com: “Of course, Leclerc is thinking about whether […]

Published

3 minutes ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Danner, a former F1 driver turned German television pundit, told motorsport-magazin.com: “Of course, Leclerc is thinking about whether his life as a driver, his career at Ferrari, will take him where he wants to go: the championship. He’s definitely questioning that. I’m convinced he’s also asked himself this year: my God, what am I even doing here? It’s going to be nothing again.”

Polesitter #16 Charles Leclerc, (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF25, during the Hungarian GP, Budapest 31 July-4 August 2025. Formula 1 World Championship 2025.

The Monegasque has often shown visible frustration, but remains loyal to Ferrari as the Italian team again looks set to end the season second-best – with another title shot slipping away.

“Leclerc is intelligent and a calm, analytical type,” Danner said. “What are the alternatives? Well, under certain circumstances, Mercedes. What Russell can do, Leclerc can do.

“Red Bull is in the midst of an ultimate technical fiasco, and of course, he has to deal with Max Verstappen, at least in the short term. At McLaren, it’s clear everyone would want to go there, but is he needed there? I’d say no. That means the alternatives simply aren’t there. Leclerc needs to focus on what he has.”

After pole in Hungary, Leclerc admitted a race win in 2025 is unlikely. “I don’t think there’s one track at the moment where we think we are stronger than McLaren,” he said. “For now, I don’t think there’s any tracks where I go to and think we will be the favorites, but I hope I’ll be surprised.”

Editor’s Note: Designer Rob Marshall made the Red Bull unbeatable, and when he was poached away by McLaren, he has now made the McLaren unbeatable.

There are now even suggestions Ferrari could be better off finishing third this season to secure more wind tunnel time for the 2026 rules reset.

But Leclerc says that’s not how he approaches racing. “I’m pretty sure it’s better to finish second than third,” he insisted.

“However, as you said, there’s also the wind tunnel time. This is not something we think of too much. When we are on track, we just want to finish as high up as possible and then we’ll deal with whatever amount of hours in the wind tunnel we have.

“We want to target the highest possible. Second place in the constructors’ is one of our targets, but the biggest target is to come back to winning races as soon as possible. Wherever we finish, we’ll work from there and see how many hours we have next year.”

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Motorsports

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety extends sponsorship of Legacy Motor Club

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced that Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, the nation’s largest full-service and fully integrated fire protection, life safety, and security services provider, has extended its partnership with the CLUB for the 2026 season. The renewed agreement builds upon a successful 2025 season and reflects the partners’ shared commitment to performance, reliability, and safety. Pye-Barker’s […]

Published

4 minutes ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The renewed agreement builds upon a successful 2025 season and reflects the partners’ shared commitment to performance, reliability, and safety.

Pye-Barker’s impressive progression has earned it consecutive annual recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States. In recent years, Pye-Barker has achieved substantial revenue growth while remaining committed to exceptional care of its customers and team, made up of 8,000 members nationwide, operating across more than 250 locations.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety will continue its presence on LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s No. 42 Toyota Camry of John Hunter Nemechek in the NASCAR Cup Series and will maintain its status as the Official Fire Safety Partner of the CLUB. The brand will also expand its involvement in hospitality, employee engagement programs, and community outreach through the partnership. Pye-Barker will be the primary paint scheme on the No. 42 for 14 races in 2026.

“We are thrilled to have Pye-Barker Fire & Safety renew for next season,” said LEGACY MC co-owner Jimmie Johnson. “John Hunter and the No. 42 team are great representatives of the brand, and our collective goal is to put Pye-Barker back in victory lane.”

“This partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB reflects the same values that guide our business every day – putting people first and building lasting relationships built on trust,” said Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety. “We look for partners who genuinely care about their people and their community. LEGACY shares our commitment to excellence and appreciates the family culture that makes both our organizations successful. Together, we’re able to connect with our team members, customers, and communities in ways that go far beyond business.”

The extended partnership includes expanded branding on team assets, enhanced activations at select NASCAR Cup Series events, and continued collaboration on content, employee and safety initiatives. Pye-Barker’s commitment to safety aligns naturally with the high-performance, high-stakes world of NASCAR.

“Having Pye-Barker Fire & Safety back with us for another year is a huge win for our team,” said Nemechek, driver of the No. 42 Pye-Barker Toyota Camry XSE. “Their values of service, trust, and care for their team and communities line up perfectly with what we’re building here. We’re looking forward to another year of growing together both on and off the track. I’m looking forward to representing them in 14 races next year and hopefully taking them to Victory Lane again.”

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety first joined LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2024 and has since become a valued part of the team’s fabric, appearing in multiple races and fan activations.

Legacy Motor Club PR

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Motorsports

Scott McLaughlin to enter “bucket list” Suzuka 1000Km race

Penske IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin will race a Chevrolet Corvette at Suzuka next month to tick off what he is calling a “bucket list” ambition. The New Zealander will drive a Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the Malaysian Johore Motorsports Racing team in the Suzuka 1000Km round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge on 14 September to […]

Published

22 minutes ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Penske IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin will race a Chevrolet Corvette at Suzuka next month to tick off what he is calling a “bucket list” ambition.

The New Zealander will drive a Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the Malaysian Johore Motorsports Racing team in the Suzuka 1000Km round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge on 14 September to fulfil his dream.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JMR team heading to Suzuka for the 1000Km,” said McLaughlin, who races a Chevrolet-powered Dallara DW12 for Team Penske in the IndyCar Series.

“I’ve always wanted to race Suzuka, and it’s a bucket list track for me.”

McLaughlin will share the JMR Pro class entry with Chevrolet factory drivers Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg, who he described as his “General Motors friends” and “two amazing Corvette racers”.

Suzuka, round four of a series that incorporates the 24-hour classics at Spa and the Nurburgring, will be McLaughlin’s second race appearance at the wheel of Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

#91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ben Keating, Connor Zilisch, Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen

Photo by: Courtesy of IMSA

He drove one of Pratt & Miller-developed racers at the Daytona 24 Hours in January, the opening round of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, fielded by NASCAR Cup entrant Trackhouse Racing and run by TF Sport.

McLaughlin’s CV has encompassed sportscar appearances in LMP2 in IMSA since he switched to IndyCars from the V8 Supercars Series in Australia at the end of 2020.

He won LMP2 and finished third overall at the 2023 Sebring 12 Hours driving a Tower Motorsports ORECA-Gibson 07.

His sportscar credits also include a victory at the Bathurst 12 Hours at the wheel of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in 2016.

JMR, a regular in the GT World Challenge Asia, will field a pair of Corvettes at the Suzuka IGTC fixture.

A car is being fielded in Pro-Am for Malaysian princes Jefri Ibrahim and Abu Bakar Ibrahim, who will share with Finn GT specialist Konsta Lappalainen.

The IGTC is returning to Suzuka this year for the first time since 2019 after which the fixture fell victim to the COVID pandemic.

In its previous two editions, 2018 and ’19, the Suzuka round was a 10-hour race but this year the late summer endurance fixture dating back to 1966 is returning to its traditional 1000km format.

The maximum duration of the race has been extended from six to six-and-a-half hours in an attempt to ensure the full distance is achieved. A 30-car entry has been received for the event.

Motorsports

Family Fun at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Activities Beyond the Track | News | Media

New England’s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) isn’t just for hardcore race fans – it’s a full-on family entertainment destination. From Sept. 17-21, “The Magic Mile” transforms into a hub of kid-friendly fun, interactive experiences and fall festival vibes, making it the perfect getaway for families in New England. Wednesday: […]

Published

24 minutes ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Wednesday: Camper Appreciation Musical Bingo presented by THOR Industries

Start the weekend on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. with Camper Appreciation Musical Bingo presented by THOR Industries. Win cool prizes and enjoy opening evening at The Groove. We’ll supply the BINGO cards, dobbers and prizes – you bring the fun!

Thursday: Family Movie Night

On Thursday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m., enjoy Family Movie Night. Spread a blanket on the grassy backstretch hill or grab a grandstand seat to enjoy “Captain America: Brave New World” on massive infield screens. Savor popcorn under the stars with this ultimate outdoor cinema experience.

Friday Through Sunday: Fan Zone Fun and Carnival Thrills

From Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21, the Fan Zone delivers non-stop excitement for all ages. Test your skills at the Synergy SpeedLab: Mobile Sim Racing Experience, featuring retro racing simulators, a custom 1937 Legend Car sim and giant screens showing the action from a driver’s view. Just steps away, enjoy carnival-style fun with bumper cars, a glass firehouse maze and water gun races – complete with flashing lights, cheering crowds and prizes worth bragging about.

Friday Through Sunday: Explore the NASCAR Kids Zone

Perfect for younger fans, the NASCAR Kids Zone offers an interactive play space designed to keep children engaged and entertained all weekend long. From pint-sized racing challenges to colorful inflatables, hands-on crafts and photo ops with NASCAR-themed backdrops, it’s a safe and fun spot for kids to burn off energy while parents enjoy the event. The NASCAR Kids Zone is included with your race weekend admission, making it a must-visit stop for families.

Saturday and Sunday: Meet Your NASCAR Heroes

One of the most unforgettable experiences of race weekend is the chance to meet NASCAR’s biggest stars up close. Throughout the event, scheduled driver appearances and autograph sessions give fans of all ages the opportunity to shake hands, snap photos and collect one-of-a-kind keepsakes. For young fans, it’s a dream come true standing face-to-face with the drivers they cheer for on the track. These sessions are the perfect way to create lasting memories and bring home a personal connection to the sport.

High-Speed Action and Lasting Memories

Between the roar of playoff racing, free live music, pop-up entertainment and endless food options, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re here for the engines, the games, the food or simply a weekend of shared memories, NHMS delivers a full-throttle family experience you’ll talk about long after the checkered flag waves.

Get Tickets and Info: NHMS.com

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Motorsports

Nascar drops below 2m viewers for fifth time this season at Watkins Glen

Third-lowest Cup Series audience of 2025 so far Nascar averaging 2.69m viewers with two races remaining of regular season IndyCar yet to record an average audience below 500k this season Indy 500 performance lifts IndyCar’s full-season viewership average to 1.23m Nascar averaged 1.85 million viewers for last weekend’s Cup Series visit to Watkins Glen on […]

Published

46 minutes ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Third-lowest Cup Series audience of 2025 so far
Nascar averaging 2.69m viewers with two races remaining of regular season
IndyCar yet to record an average audience below 500k this season
Indy 500 performance lifts IndyCar’s full-season viewership average to 1.23m

Nascar averaged 1.85 million viewers for last weekend’s Cup Series visit to Watkins Glen on USA Network.

This is the fifth time this season that Nascar has dropped below two million viewers on a given race weekend, as well being the Cup Series’ third-lowest audience of the year. It is also the series’ lowest audience recorded on USA Network since 1.03 million people watched Nascar’s 2023 visit to New Hampshire.

Last year’s visit to Watkins Glen took place in the playoffs, so a fair viewership comparison would be with the 2024 race in Michigan. That averaged 2.11 million viewers on USA Network, meaning this year’s race saw a 12.4 per cent viewership decrease.

With two races remaining in its regular season, the Nascar Cup Series is averaging 2.69 million viewers in 2025. For the rest of the year, including the playoffs, only four races will be shown on commercial television.

Elsewhere, 708,000 people tuned in on Fox to see Alex Palou take his fourth IndyCar title in five years at Portland.

That continues IndyCar’s steady progress with its broadcast partner Fox, which recently took a one-third stake in the championship to underline its commitment.

While audiences may have not quite matched early-season expectations, no race in 2025 has fallen below 500,000 viewers – a benchmark not achieved in at least the past decade if maintained through the final two events.

The Indianapolis 500’s huge numbers lift IndyCar’s average to 1.23 million viewers. Excluding that race, the average is a more modest 814,000, trailing both 2023 and 2022.

Still, IndyCar and Fox can be encouraged by the solid base they’ve built, especially given the lack of title drama to entice casual viewers amid Palou’s unprecedented dominance.

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Motorsports

Good news, bad news for NASCAR Cup drivers ahead of Richmond race

For the second time this month, the NASCAR Cup Series competes at a short track. The series was at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago and now heads to Richmond Raceway for Saturday night’s event (coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on USA Network). Here is a look at the good news and bad news for […]

Published

1 hour ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

For the second time this month, the NASCAR Cup Series competes at a short track.

The series was at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago and now heads to Richmond Raceway for Saturday night’s event (coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on USA Network).

Here is a look at the good news and bad news for Cup drivers and teams heading into Richmond.

23XI Racing — Good news: Watkins Glen represented the third time this season the organization had two cars finish in the top 10 with Bubba Wallace eighth and Tyler Reddick ninth. … Wallace has scored four top 10s in a row, tied for the longest streak in his Cup career. … Wallace finished fourth at Richmond last August, his best finish at the track. … Both of Reddick’s top 10s at Richmond came in the last two races there. … Reddick was third at Richmond last August. … Corey Heim, the regular season champion in the Truck Series, is back in the No. 67 this weekend, making his third Cup start of the year. Bad news: Riley Herbst was 33rd at Richmond last August in his only Cup start there.

Front Row Motorsports — Good news: Noah Gragson will make his 100th career Cup start Saturday at Richmond. Bad news: Todd Gilliland has not placed better than 15th in six Richmond starts. … Zane Smith has not placed better than 16th in 11 career Cup short track starts.

Haas Factory Team — Good news: Cole Custer has qualified in the top 12 in three of his six Cup starts at Richmond. Bad News: Custer’s 34th-place finish at Watkins Glen was his worst result since Michigan in June.

Hendrick Motorsports — Good news: William Byron extended his lead to 42 points on Chase Elliott with his fourth-place result at Watkins Glen. … Byron has scored back-to-back top-five finishes. … Elliott has four top-five finishes in the last eight Richmond races. … Elliott has placed in the top 10 in eight of the last 10 short track races and that doesn’t include his victory in the Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium this year. … Alex Bowman’s average finish of 9.3 over the last nine races is the best among full-time drivers. … Bowman will make his 350th career Cup start Saturday at Richmond. Bad news: Chase Elliott’s 26th-place finish last weekend at Watkins Glen marked the first time this season he’s placed outside the top 20. … Kyle Larson’s average finish in the last 12 races is 19.25 — his worst over any 12-race span since joining Hendrick Motorsports ahead of the 2021 season.

Hyak Motorsports — Good news: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has made 388 consecutive Cup starts, which is the third-longest active streak behind Joey Logano’s streak of 600 and Brad Keselowski’s streak of 568. Bad news: Stenhouse has only one top-20 finish in his last seven starts at Richmond.

Joe Gibbs Racing — Good news: The organization has more wins at Richmond (19) than at any other track. … Joe Gibbs Racing has won 10 of the last 18 Richmond Cup races. … Christopher Bell has eight top-three finishes in 24 races this season. … Bell’s average finish of 7.3 at Richmond is his best among active oval tracks. … Chase Briscoe has had four top-five finishes in the last five races. … Briscoe is the only driver to finish in the top 10 in all three short track races this season, placing ninth at Martinsville, fourth at Bristol and second at Iowa. … Denny Hamlin has five wins at Richmond. … Hamlin has finished in the top two in six of the last eight Richmond races. … Hamlin has won three of the last 10 short track races, including this season at Martinsville. … Hamlin has more wins (five) than any other driver on short tracks with the Next Gen car. … Hamlin has led at least a lap in each of the last nine races at Richmond. Bad news: Ty Gibbs has finished outside the top 20 in the last three races. … Christopher Bell has had a speeding penalty in each of the last three races at Richmond. … Briscoe has never scored a top-10 finish in eight Cup starts at Richmond.

Kaulig Racing — Good news: AJ Allmendinger will make his 100th Cup start with Kaulig Racing on Saturday at Richmond. Bad news: Allmendinger has finished 26th or worse in his last seven starts at Richmond. … Ty Dillon has had three consecutive finishes of 28th or worse.

Legacy Motor Club — Good news: Erik Jones’ 12th-place finish at Watkins Glen moved him to within one point of 20th in the season standings. … Jones has seven top-15 finishes in the last 14 races. … John Hunter Nemechek has three top-15 finishes in the last six races. Bad news: Nemechek has not placed better than 25th in three Richmond Cup starts.

Richard Childress Racing — Good news: Austin Dillon won at Richmond last August. … Dillon has placed in the top 10 in two of the last three Richmond races. … Dillon’s last two Cup wins have come in the final three weeks of the playoffs (Daytona in August 2022 and Richmond in August 2024). … Kyle Busch’s six Cup wins at Richmond are the most among active drivers. … Busch’s average finish of 7.6 at Richmond is his best among active ovals. Jesse Love will in the No. 33 car this weekend, making his fifth Cup start of the season. Bad news: Although Busch has 16 Cup short track wins, his most recent victory on that style of track came in April 2019 at Bristol.

Rick Ware Racing — Good news: Cody Ware’s 29th-place finish at Watkins Glen snapped a streak of four finishes of 32nd or worse. Bad news: Ware has never finished better than 34th in four Richmond Cup starts.

RFK Racing — Good news: Chris Buescher continues to hold the final Cup playoff spot with two races left in there regular season. … All three of Buescher’s top-10 finishes at Richmond, including a win, have come in the last five races there. … Brad Keselowski led a season-high 68 laps in finishing third at Iowa last month in the most recent short track race. … Ryan Preece’s average finish of 10.9 over the past nine races ranks fourth among full-time drivers. … Preece has 11 top-15 finishes in the last 13 races. Bad news: Preece has one top-15 finish in nine career Cup starts at Richmond.

AUTO: AUG 10 NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling At The Glen

Chris Buescher continues to hold the final playoff spot in Cup with two races left in the regular season.

Spire Motorsports — Good news: Carson Hocevar placed eighth at Richmond last August. Bad news: Justin Haley’s 27th-place finish last weekend at Watkins Glen was his worst result since Nashville in June. … Haley has not finished better than 21st in eight Cup starts at Richmond. … Michael McDowell has one top-10 finish in 27 Cup starts at Richmond.

Tristan McKee wins in his series debut five days after he turned 15 years old.

Team Penske — Good news: Ryan Blaney will make his 350th consecutive Cup start Saturday at Richmond, the fifth-longest active streak in the series (behind Joey Logano at 600, Brad Keselowski at 568, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at 388 and Kyle Busch at 373). … Blaney has scored four consecutive top-10 finishes this season. … Blaney has scored the most points (119) on short tracks this season. Bad news: Richmond is the only oval on the circuit that Blaney does not have a top-five finish. … Austin Cindric does not have a top-10 finish in seven Cup starts at Richmond. … Logano has not finished better than ninth in the last 10 races.

Trackhouse Racing — Good news: Organization placed all three cars in the top 10 for the first time in a race last weekend at Watkins Glen with Shane van Gisbergen winning, Daniel Suarez seventh and Ross Chastain 10th. … Chastain’s finish at Watkins Glen tied for his best result over the past nine races. … Chastain finished fifth at Richmond last August. Bad news: Suarez has placed 25th or worse in five of the last seven races.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 - Practice

Connor Zilisch was injured in a fall from his car in victory lane after winning last weekend’s Xfinity race at Watkins Glen.

Wood Brothers Racing — Good news: Josh Berry’s average finish of 9.0 at Richmond is his best among tracks he’s made multiple starts. … Berry finished second at Richmond in April 2023. .. Berry qualified third at Richmond last August. Bad news: Berry has one top-10 finish since his victory at Las Vegas in March.

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